Digital community backs #4sparks campaign

Leading digital academics and businesses have thrown their support behind the #4sparks campaign to bring Channel 4 to Leeds City Region, highlighting the digital expertise the broadcaster could benefit from.

David Eccles (pictured), founding partner of Leeds-based Numiko, Channel 4 digital partner for many high profile projects such as The Undateables, Stand Up to Cancer, Fresh Meat, Bear Grylls� The Island and the Paralympics, commented:��With the unstoppable rise of on-demand, internet based content providers such as Netflix and Amazon vying for viewers� attention, Channel 4 needs to be able to plug into a local ecosystem of digital talent which will guarantee their success for the next 35 years. I strongly believe that Leeds can provide this which is why I�m backing #4sparks.�Dr Phil Waywell, Research and Innovation Development Manager at the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics said: �Data is our speciality, our talent is finding innovative ways to use it.�

Professor Peter Cowling, Director of Digital Creativity Labs and IGGI at the University of York added: "Yorkshire is a powerhouse for digital creativity research. At the University of York we have over 50 world class research staff and tens of millions in research funding - working with over 100 partners from the local and national digital creative industries. To have Channel 4 in Yorkshire would be fabulous - to do research together on a vision for the (interactive) future of broadcasting."

This focus on digital strengths forms the next phase of the #4sparks campaign, building on activity in October and November which saw Leeds City Region social media messages reached by over 1 million people.

All the Local Authorities, cities, towns and industry players of Leeds City Region have come together, in an unprecedented show of solidarity and determination to support this campaign.�

Following a consultation earlier in the year, the government produced a 56-page report that examined a range of options for a Channel 4 relocation � including a full or partial move from London � as well as the impact of making the broadcaster increase its spend on programmes made by TV producers outside the capital. It is expected a decision regarding the relocation will be made in early 2018.